10/1. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1705 — Stray Camels and Found Items
Finds
Hadith About Stray Camels and Found Property in Islam
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1705
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1705
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ السَّرْحِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي مَالِكٌ، بِإِسْنَادِهِ وَمَعْنَاهُ زَادَ " سِقَاؤُهَا تَرِدُ الْمَاءَ وَتَأْكُلُ الشَّجَرَ " . وَلَمْ يَقُلْ " خُذْهَا " . فِي ضَالَّةِ الشَّاءِ وَقَالَ فِي اللُّقَطَةِ " عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا وَإِلاَّ فَشَأْنَكَ بِهَا " . وَلَمْ يَذْكُرِ " اسْتَنْفِقْ " . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ رَوَاهُ الثَّوْرِيُّ وَسُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ وَحَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ مِثْلَهُ لَمْ يَقُولُوا " خُذْهَا " .
Malik Narrated from:
The above mentioned tradition has also been transmitted by Malik through a different chain of narrators to the same effect. This version adds: They have their stomachs: They can go down to water and eat trees. He did not say about the stray sheep: take it. About a find he said : Make it known for a year; if it’s owner comes, (give it to him), otherwise use it yourself. This version has not the word : “ spend it”. Abu Dawud said : This tradition has been narrated by al-Thawri, Sulaiman bin Bilal, and Hammad bin Salamah on the authority of Rabi ‘ ah in a similar manner. They did not mention the word “take it”.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1705In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 5English translation : Book 9, Hadith 1701
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1705
This hadith about stray camels and found property supports the meaning of the earlier narration. It says that a found item should be made known for a year. If its owner comes, it should be given back. If the owner does not come, the finder may use it. The narration also adds a point about stray camels: they have their stomachs, can go down to water, and eat trees. This explains why they are not treated like weak or exposed animals. A camel can move, drink, and feed itself until its owner finds it. The hadith gives a simple rule of fairness. Found property needs announcement, and stray animals are judged by their situation. A stronger animal is not to be taken like one that may be harmed quickly.
What we learn from this hadith
- Found property should be announced for a year.
- If the owner comes, the item should be returned.
- Stray camels are left because they can reach water and eat trees.
- Different lost animals may need different treatment.
